BNSF Railway is the leading U.S. class I freight railroad company, generating more than 20.8 billion U.S. dollars in operating revenue in 2020.
BSNF Railway
The railroad focuses on transporting freight commodities such as coal, industrial or agricultural products . In 2019, the company generated some 19.8 billion U.S. dollars in freight revenue and hauled more than 9.48 million carloads across the country. Its main competitor, Union Pacific, was second on the list in terms of operating revenue in that year, generating around 19.5 billion U.S. dollars from transporting freight like coal, industrial, chemical or agricultural products.
U.S. rail industry
U.S. railroads as well as their competitors in Canada are among the leading railway companies in the world. The United States has one of the longest railroad networks worldwide. In 2016, U.S. railroads transported some 17.7 billion tons of freight, a volume which was greatly impacted by the economic slowdown and dip in demand in the sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Rail freight traffic rapidly dipped by over 16 percent between January and April 2020. Despite this setback, demand is expected to grow; by 2040, more than 24 billion tons of freight will be hauled via U.S. railroads.
Leading North American railroad companies in 2020, based on operating revenue
(in billion U.S. dollars)
Values have been rounded. The figures for non-U.S. railroads have been converted from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at a rate of 1 CAD = 0.7854 U.S. dollars (correct as of December 31, 2020).
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Statista. (March 1, 2021). Leading North American railroad companies in 2020, based on operating revenue (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/271613/leading-north-american-railroad-companies-based-on-revenue/
Statista. "Leading North American railroad companies in 2020, based on operating revenue (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. March 1, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271613/leading-north-american-railroad-companies-based-on-revenue/
Statista. (2021). Leading North American railroad companies in 2020, based on operating revenue (in billion U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 23, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271613/leading-north-american-railroad-companies-based-on-revenue/
Statista. "Leading North American Railroad Companies in 2020, Based on Operating Revenue (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Mar 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/271613/leading-north-american-railroad-companies-based-on-revenue/
Statista, Leading North American railroad companies in 2020, based on operating revenue (in billion U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/271613/leading-north-american-railroad-companies-based-on-revenue/ (last visited May 23, 2022)